Indrajeet's worst fears had been consuming him for days. He had convinced himself that Ather was somehow a threat to him, and that his father's interest in the younger boy was something more than just admiration for his combat skills.
Indrajeet was sitting with Ather in the cafeteria during lunchtime. He mustered up the courage to ask the question that had been bothering him for days. "Ather, are you gay?" he blurted out.
Ather looked at him with surprise and confusion. "What? No, why would you even think that?" he replied, taken aback by the question.
Indrajeet felt a wave of relief wash over him, mixed with a twinge of embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I just had this stupid idea in my head," he explained.
Ather shrugged it off, not wanting to dwell on the matter. "It's okay, no offense taken. But I'm not gay, and even if I were, it wouldn't matter. Love is love, right?" he said with a small smile.
Indrajeet nodded, feeling foolish for even bringing it up. He realized that his own insecurities and fears had clouded his judgement, and that Ather was just a talented and hardworking student like everyone else at the school.
From that day on, Indrajeet made an effort to get to know Ather better and to overcome his irrational jealousy. He learned that sometimes the things we fear the most are just figments of our imagination, and that true strength comes from facing our fears head on.